Sweetclover | |
| Species: | Sweetclover |
| Scientific Name: | Melilotus albus (white blossom); Melilotus officinalis (yellow blossom) |
| Cultivars: | Hubam, Floranna. |
| Growth Habit: | 4-6 feet tall, erect. Leaf has large notches along margins. Very similar to alfalfa except flowers are yellow (yellow sweet clover) or white (white sweet clover). Has long pivotal root. |
| Life Cycle: | Annual (white); biennial (yellow) |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Production Season: | February to May. |
| Nutritive Value: | Varies depending on maturity (leaf:stem ratio) Usually medium to high crude protein; medium to high digestibility. |
| Use: | |
| Herbarium Image: | For an herbarium image click this link, and this link. |
Adaptation | |
| Soil: | Sandy-loam, clay-loam, with more than average content of phosphorous and potassium. |
| pH: | 6.5-8.0, 7-8 (target). |
| Rainfall: | |
| Temperature: | 38°F (minimum). High cold tolerance |
Management | |
| Planting Date: | October 1 to November 15, when soil is moist or during a rainy period. |
| Planting Depth: | 1/4-1/2 inch , with a cultipacker type seeder or a cyclone hand seeder can be used. |
| Seeding Rate: | |
| Seed Cost: | White ($2.5/lb, $30 to 38/acre); Yellow $4/lb, $48 to 60/acre) |
| Fertilization: | 60 lb/acre of P and 40 lb/acre of K. No nitrogen is needed. Also click this link |
| Production: | 3000-5000 lb/acre |
Notes | |
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 "Sweet_clover.jpg") |
| Click on photo to view full size. |